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Mr Gove subsequently took the unusual step of intervening on the Whatsapp group himself in a bid to reassure his colleagues, saying he understood their concerns and that French vessels "were obviously acting illegally".

Eurosceptic Tory Owen Paterson said on a WhatsApp group: "Our boats would not have to go over to French waters if they had fair access to our own.

"We should chuck Chequers [the Prime Minister's Brexit deal] and establish our full control of our EEZ [British waters] out to 200 miles.